LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Use this forum to post threads of ongoing Capri projects and restorations.
chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Ive wanted one of these for 40 years.
In my opinion,the ultimate classic ford.
Decided to bite the bullet and buy one.
A mate of mine who is a Lotus Cortina specialist
put me intouch with the owner who runs the Lotus Cortina Register.
Went to view it last week and bought it.Anyone who knows these cars
knows there not cheep in any condition and this was no exception.
The guy has had this car for 30 years.He also has a Lotus mk1 Cortina SE
which is worth £80k +.
A lot of work to do but well worth it.Floor is very good.Wants wings bonnet sills ect.
I estimate £15k to spend on it,but this will bring it up to the highest standards.
The capri went today and the chevy truck will be going to,to fund this project.
Its a 1965 airflow car.A frame car which is very sort after.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Thanks a lot to Colin Ginn for having the afternoon off from his busy workshop and collecting the car with me,then delivering it 60 miles away to my workshop.
Colin has original new front wings and complete front panel for the car for me.
I will be stripping the rest of the car as soon as I get time,Then my favourite job of scraping off underseal from the under side.
Then its back to Clacton to Colins workshop for blasting and he is paneling this one up for me.One because I will never get round to it and two,he is the master of the mk1 Lotus.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Started stripping the car down.Only a few bits left to remove and then its off to be blasted.
Never been welded anywhere.No patches on floor or chassis.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Thanks to Colin Gin for making me my new purchase.The Best roll over jig ive seen.Simply bolts to the chassis and then
air ratchet on each end to the desired hight.Can be lowered to the ground then slide the ends off and wheel it in to the oven,perfect.
Will now start to remove underseal.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

All underseal now removed.Also removed all sound proofing and will replace with new.
Its never had any welding underneath.The only welding I found was a pair of sills.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Started cleaning up a few bits ready for when its done.Heater motor now works and
is now fully operational.Pulled it apart primed and painted it.
Also got the remaining bits of paint off the roof and rear quarters.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Got another engine.Rebuilt with 6 bolt crank and big valve head ect.
130BHP.
Big thanks to Colin Ginn
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Need a new facia for the heater.
chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Been getting some of the bits ready.Gearbox x-member,prop mount,wheels ect.
The gearbox and remote were green so had the paint matched and painted them.
Bought loads of parts all new.Every rubber seal,new windows,new a-frame,engine hoses
brand new old stock grille.Loads more to get.I can now see why these cars fetch upwards of £40,000 lol.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Cross-member done also tcas,prop shaft ect ect done
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

The car went to Colins at Clacton today for blasting and panelling up.
Got a few more bits painted including new fuel tank.Axle cleaned and stripped down for re-build.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Took a trip down to Colins at Clacton as they were blasting it today.
I think its lost some weight lol.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Welding underway.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Twin 40 DCOE 18s needed refurb.Very happy with the results.Bought new billet trumpets.
Will be driving over to Kent on sunday for new chokes/jets ect
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

A few more bits done.O/S Lower corner,O/S rear arch,O/S sill,O/S inner wing repair panel ect ect.
Also went over to Ashford Kent to see a guy who has 2 Lotus mk1s one of which is a race car.
He put new jets ect in the carbs.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

A lot more done.
Both inner wing tops done.
Bonnet hindge brackets welded on.
Front clamped into position.
Bonnet on,genuine new old stock wings and front panel in place ect ect.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Back up to Clacton today and great progress.
Welldone Colin
N/S Sill
N/S rear arch
N/S bulk head
N/S lower corner
Inner sills both sides
Front panel on
Really taking shape now.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

Loads more done.
New A-Frame mounts done.
Chassis all done.
A couple of bits to finish off
and it will be back in Essex.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

All welding done apart from the front wings.
Inner wings need filling and its easier to do
it with the wings off,so will get on with it.
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chap280
Posts: 355
Joined: Fri May 28, 2010 7:51 pm
Car(s): capri 3.0s.
1948 5.7 chevy stepside

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by chap280 »

A few pics of the car with its first few skims of restoration paste,lol
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User avatar
Jayman
Posts: 298
Joined: Fri Feb 15, 2013 7:11 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri 1.6
Renault Clio 3
Jaguar XJ

Re: LOTUS MK1 CORTINA RESTORATION

Post by Jayman »

Brilliant stuff, what's your technique for removing underseal?
Since I got a capri I've said "over the moon" a lot more than ever before.
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